The Cleveland Browns are rebuilding - Three Browns are in constant danger of losing their roster spots
Even as the Cleveland Browns remain the talk of the NFL town following their win in Shedeur Sanders' first ever NFL start, this team is still a three-win squad that has its eyes set on building itself into a winner during the 2026 NFL season.
Browns fans can take solace in the fact that many of the disappointing draft picks and ill-fated free agent signings that have contributed to their recent decline will not be on the team during the 2026 season. The remaining six games of the year will be used to evaluate the remaining talent on the roster.
These three players had better count their lucky stars that Andrew Berry did not decide to start the process early and hand them a pink slip.
3 Cleveland Browns who better be thankful they haven't been cut yet
Empty heading
IOL Zak Zinter
While the 2025 NFL Draft class is looking like a big home run for Andrew Berry after adding multiple long-term contributors, the 2024 class appears to have been a huge whiff. Zinter, a third-round pick after an injury-filled final college season, appears totally out of the picture.
Even on a terrible Browns offensive line, Zinter hasn't even been active on gameday in most of Cleveland's games this year. With Berry looking likely to spend many of his top NFL Draft picks on offensive line help, Zinter is coming closer to being a major whiff with each passing day.
RB Jerome Ford
The writing has been on the wall for quite some time. Not only has Quinshon Judkins emerged as someone Cleveland will lean on heavily in the next few seasons, but Dylan Sampson is starting to break out as a more speedy change of pace back behind Judkins. Ford is the odd man out.
Ford has utility as the best pass blocking back of the three, but since he lacks the power of Judkins and the speed of Sampson, it seems very unlikely that Cleveland will have a ton of interest in bringing him back as part of the team's new-look offense in the 2025 season
OT KT Leveston
Leveston has been a competent run blocker this season, but Pro Football Focus has rated the former Los Angeles Rams youngster as the absolute worst pass-blocking tackle the league has to offer. Leveston has regressed to the point where he is bordering on unplayable.
With the Browns owning the Jacksonville Jaguars' first-round pick, Berry could use that selection on a tackle like Miami's Francis Mauigoa, Alabama's Kadyn Proctor, or Utah's Caleb Lomu. Leveston has run out of developmental road, and his Browns future is in question.
Jets Receive Good News Days Before Falcons Game
The New York Jets received plenty of good news ahead of their Week 13 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons.
ESPN’s Marc Raimondi revealed that the Falcons are “unlikely” to have the services of wide receiver Drake London this Sunday.
“[Head] coach Raheem Morris said Wednesday that he regards London as doubtful to play Sunday against the New York Jets. London has been dealing with a posterior cruciate ligament strain in his left knee and missed last Sunday’s victory over the New Orleans Saints. Morris said London has been moving better and that he expects him to be back soon,” Raimondi wrote.
London’s Absence Is a Massive Needle Mover for the Game
How big a deal is it for the Jets if London doesn’t suit up? It’s a game-changer.
London leads Atlanta in every major statistical category this season for a pass catcher: targets (94), receptions (60), receiving yards (810), touchdowns (six), 20+ yard receiving plays (12), and receptions that resulted in a first down (39), per ESPN.
Those video game numbers would be impressive under any circumstances. However, those are even more eyebrow-raising when you consider, London has already missed two games this season.
The Good News Continue to Roll in for the Jets
Atlanta being weaker is good news, but the Jets being healthier might be even better news.
“When it comes to injuries, the only person of note is Harrison [Phillips], but I expect him to be a part of practice going into the later part of this week. So he will be just fine. That is the only injury of note, so that is a good feeling going into this part of the season. Just to have that one guy who again will be a part of practice [later in the week],” head coach Aaron Glenn explained on Wednesday, November 26.
Later on Wednesday, the team issued the first official injury report for Week 13. The only player who appeared was Phillips, with a foot issue, and he didn’t practice on Wednesday.
“Kirk Cousins will continue to lead the Falcons at the quarterback position as Michael Penix Jr. underwent surgery to repair a partially torn ACL [on] Tuesday. Defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. also went under the knife this week to repair a reported ruptured Achilles tendon,” Falcons team reporter Tori McElhaney wrote.
“In other injury news, the Falcons still have their two starting offensive guards working through injuries. Matthew Bergeron (ankle) was a limited participant [on] Wednesday, while Chris Lindstrom (foot) did not participate,” McElhaney added.
Happy Thanksgiving From the Heavy on Jets Family to You and Yours
Hello everyone, my name is Paul A. Esden Jr, I often go by the nickname ‘Boy Green.’ I’ve been working with Heavy on their Jets subdivision since its creation in April 2021.
Thank you for reading our articles, watching our podcasts, and engaging with the comment sections on the site and across social media.
I can speak on behalf of the entire Heavy on Jets team that we love doing this, and it wouldn’t be possible without you, the reader. I hope you and yours have a very happy Thanksgiving and get a chance to eat plenty of food and watch a ton of football.
